FANS ASKED TO SUPPORT STEVE ESSEX BY BECOMING BLOOD DONORS

THE family of former Burton Albion player Steve Essex have asked Brewers fans to become blood donors in his honour.

Steve played for the Brewers 176 times between 1985 and 1989 and played in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley in 1987.

He’s has been diagnosed with cancer and hoped to come to Saturday’s game to ask fans to think about becoming blood donors but was too unwell to attend.

Instead his wife Jane and son Tom came to the Pirelli Stadium and asked supporters for their support at half-time

Steve has set up a website with the following message:

“I was diagnosed with inoperable and incurable pancreatic and bile duct cancer last July. After starting a course of chemotherapy, it was clear my blood was very sensitive to the treatment which resulted in me requiring multiple blood transfusions.

“Prior to my illness I had always been a keen blood donor having racked up almost 50 donations in my time, but the sheer importance of donating blood didn’t hit me until it was me in need. In the past 3 months I personally have had 19 blood transfusions and the UK in general needs 6,000 donors a day to keep up with demand.

“Currently only 3% of people between 17 and 66 (eligible to donate) give blood in the UK. I am determined to raise this figure. While I have had to accept that my illness is a battle I won’t win, I am more determined than ever to leave a lasting legacy.

“The aim is for my legacy to support and raise awareness of giving blood and it is a project that will be led by my wife and children so that we can help many others long after I am gone.